Last August, CJ Lyles was bitten by a shark while surfing, well, the “shark bite capital of the world.” The firefighter was in the water at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, when the shark snagged him on the hand, causing torn tendons and nerve damage.
But now, almost exactly a year later, Lyles is back in the water at the very same spot where the attack happened. And during the swell frenzy that came along with Hurricane Erin, he caught what some called the “best wave ever” at the sharky Florida surfing hub.
Check out footage of the wave below.
Going back to last year, Lyles posted footage of the incident, showing him coming out of the water and heaps of blood dripping from his hand. Photos showed just how deep the shark got him. It could’ve been worse, but still, it got him good.
Related: 20ft+ Waves on East Coast: ‘Biggest Hurricane in 30 Years’ (Video)
Recapping what happened, Lyles wrote:
“Yesterday yes I was bit by a shark. I was out almost a couple hours and saw a few small sharks here and there, nothing big enough for me to go in. But most of the session I was lying on my board instead of sitting for obvious reasons. I was paddling back out after a wave and idk maybe a 3fter latched onto my left hand. I felt sharp teeth and pressure. It scared the shit out of me, my first reaction was to pull away but it was hard with the shark thrashing around.
“It didn’t hold on long but it felt like awhile. I was scared to look at my hand because I thought my fingers were gone. I paddled in with one arm in frustration yelling the F word a couple dozen times. My left index finger was stuck straight, I was unable to bend it so I knew instantly I was gonna need more than stitches.”
After the attack, Lyles drove himself home; then his girlfriend drove him to the hospital. He was out a few days later, and vowed to paddle back out in the water.
Now, with this reeling righthander from NSB, he’s officially returned.
Talk about a comeback.
Related: Florida Man Takes Photo with Shark, Gets Bitten (Video)